Community

Overseas development

In a world of increasing inequality, where 2 billion people live on less than $1 a day and a child dies of hunger every 8 seconds, we believe it is vital that Christians act prophetically to bring about God's justice. Through a combination of prayer, action and giving, St Simon's seeks to put this belief into practice.

Portsmouth is a fairtrade city, and as a church we have a fairtrade policy, with a traidcraft stall after some services. Many of our members campaign with Christian Aid and Tearfund, calling for the unjust rules of trade to be rewritten and urging world leaders to MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY. We are increasingly working with other churches and groups in the city to maximise the impact of our actions.

What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?
Micah 6.8 NRSV

Through our regular giving, St Simon's supports eight overseas development and mission agencies. Some of these are small projects to which we have a personal link, such as Oasis en Gedi which works with street children in Gualalhara, Mexico. This project is run by the daughter of two of our regular members. We also have personal links to the Teso region of Uganda, so troubled by war in recent times. Through the Diocese of Portsmouth, St Simon's has a link to the Diocese of Makurdi in Nigeria.

We also support the following organisations:

  • Barnabus Fund - working with persecuted Christian minorities
  • Church Mission Society - working in Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Europe
  • Trade Justice Jubilee Debt
  • World Share - working in partnership to evangelise and bring practical help
  • Bible Society - making the Bible heard throughout the world

He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written: "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to being good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favour."
Luke 4.17-18 NRSV

Over the course of a year we send a donation from our Alms Fund to each of these agencies and also support them in prayer.

You can find ideas on how to pray, act and give in response to any of these issues on the resources page.